EP3957649A1 - Verbesserte n-terminale kappungsmodule von ankyrinwiederholungsdomänen - Google Patents

Verbesserte n-terminale kappungsmodule von ankyrinwiederholungsdomänen Download PDF

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EP3957649A1
EP3957649A1 EP20191632.7A EP20191632A EP3957649A1 EP 3957649 A1 EP3957649 A1 EP 3957649A1 EP 20191632 A EP20191632 A EP 20191632A EP 3957649 A1 EP3957649 A1 EP 3957649A1
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Prior art keywords
amino acid
seq
terminal capping
acid sequence
capping module
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EP20191632.7A
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French (fr)
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Johannes Schilling
Patrik Forrer
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Athebio AG
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Athebio AG
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Priority to EP20191632.7A priority Critical patent/EP3957649A1/de
Priority to US17/232,470 priority patent/US11242369B1/en
Priority to PCT/EP2021/072819 priority patent/WO2022038128A1/en
Priority to EP21765861.6A priority patent/EP4192851A1/de
Priority to EP21199643.4A priority patent/EP4074727A1/de
Publication of EP3957649A1 publication Critical patent/EP3957649A1/de
Priority to US17/851,959 priority patent/US11981710B2/en
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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K14/00—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
    • C07K14/435—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
    • C07K14/46—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans from vertebrates
    • C07K14/47—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans from vertebrates from mammals
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K14/00—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
    • C07K14/001—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof by chemical synthesis
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K38/00—Medicinal preparations containing peptides
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K2317/00—Immunoglobulins specific features
    • C07K2317/70—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by effect upon binding to a cell or to an antigen
    • C07K2317/76—Antagonist effect on antigen, e.g. neutralization or inhibition of binding
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K2317/00—Immunoglobulins specific features
    • C07K2317/90—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by (pharmaco)kinetic aspects or by stability of the immunoglobulin
    • C07K2317/94—Stability, e.g. half-life, pH, temperature or enzyme-resistance
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K2318/00—Antibody mimetics or scaffolds
    • C07K2318/20—Antigen-binding scaffold molecules wherein the scaffold is not an immunoglobulin variable region or antibody mimetics

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to proteins comprising an ankyrin repeat domain with an N-terminal capping module conferring improved properties to the ankyrin repeat domain, as well as related products and the use of such proteins in methods of treatment.
  • Repeat proteins bind their targets via the repeat domain, which is made up of a variable number of repeats that stack on each other through their conserved interfaces to create the compactly folded repeat domain. Specific target binding is then achieved through variable residues on the surface of the repeat domain (Forrer 2003, loc. cit. and WO 2002/020565 ).
  • Ankyrin repeat proteins are a well-studied class of repeat proteins.
  • the ankyrin repeat usually comprises 33 amino acid residues forming two antiparallel alpha-helices and a beta-turn.
  • the folded ankyrin repeat domain comprising the stacked ankyrin repeats has a right-handed solenoid structure with a compact hydrophobic core and a large binding surface, which allows it to adapt to its respective binding partners (e.g. Binz, H.K., et al., Nat. Biotechnol. 22, 575-582, 2004 ).
  • Plückthun and coworkers derived a consensus sequence motif from naturally occurring ankyrin repeats (e.g., Binz, H.K., et al., J. Mol. Biol., 332, 489-503, 2003 and WO 2002/020565 ).
  • the derived ankyrin repeat consensus motif is 33-amino acid residues long and comprises fixed and variable positions.
  • the fixed positions correspond mainly to framework residues that are primarily responsible for the structural integrity of the ankyrin repeats, in particular, for the interrepeat stacking interactions.
  • the variable positions correspond to surface-exposed residues that do not strongly contribute to the structural integrity of the ankyrin repeats; but, are potentially involved in target binding (though surface-exposed framework residues may be involved in target binding too).
  • ankyrin repeat domain with internal ankyrin repeats that were based on such ankyrin repeat consensus motif (Binz, 2004, loc. cit.). Certain variable positions of the consensus motif were randomized in each internal ankyrin repeat to allow for the binding to different targets, thereby creating the diversity of the library.
  • the internal ankyrin repeats were flanked by an N-terminal capping module and a C-terminal capping module to shield the hydrophobic core of the domain from the solvent (Forrer, 2003, loc. cit. and Binz, 2003, loc. cit.).
  • capping modules were based on the capping repeats of the human guanine-adenine-binding protein (GA-binding protein).
  • G-binding protein human guanine-adenine-binding protein
  • Libraries composed of proteins with ankyrin repeat domains having one, two or three internal ankyrin repeats is referred to as an N1C, N2C and N3C library, respectively, wherein the "N” refers to the N-terminal capping module, "C” refers to the C-terminal capping module and the number to the number of internal ankyrin repeats (Binz, 2003, loc. cit).
  • DARPins ankyrin repeat proteins
  • common selection methods including phage display, ribosome display and yeast display, and were shown to have very favorable properties. While displaying binding specificities and affinities that are comparable to immunoglobulins, DARPins are much more robust and can be easily engineered into multispecific binding proteins that are easily expressed and purified. DARPins are well studied (e.g. Plückthun, A., Annu. Rev. Pharmacol. Toxicol. 55, 489-511, 2015 ).
  • the present invention is based on the discovery that specific mutations in the N-terminal capping module can significantly improve the properties of an ankyrin repeat domain.
  • the amino acid residue present at the position in the N-terminal capping module which corresponds to position 15 of SEQ ID NO: 3, is of key importance for the thermostability of an ankyrin repeat domain.
  • the effects of these mutations were transferable to ankyrin repeat domains with diverging sequences, demonstrating the general importance of this position in the N-terminal capping module for the thermostability of ankyrin repeat domains.
  • the present invention provides a protein comprising an ankyrin repeat domain, wherein the ankyrin repeat domain comprises an N-terminal capping module with a mutation in the position, which corresponds to position 15 of SEQ ID NO: 3.
  • the present invention provides a protein library comprising such proteins.
  • the present invention provides a method of selection using such protein libraries.
  • the present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the proteins of the invention, nucleic acids encoding them or vectors or cells comprising said nucleic acids.
  • the present invention provides a method of preparing a protein of the invention comprising culturing a cell having a nucleic acid encoding the protein of the invention under conditions allowing expression thereof and then purifying the expressed protein.
  • the present invention relates to the proteins of the invention for use in a method of treatment.
  • an "ankyrin repeat” refers to a short sequence of amino acid residues forming a structural motif (e.g.,SMART accession number: SM00248). Ankyrin repeats occur in consecutive copies, are involved in protein-protein interactions and the core of the ankyrin repeat forms a helix-loop-helix structure.
  • ankyrin repeat domain refers to a protein domain comprising an N-terminal capping module, a C-terminal capping module and one or more ankyrin repeats in between (also referred to as "internal ankyrin repeats").
  • An ankyrin repeat domain has a hydrophobic core, which is shielded on its N- and C-terminal end by N- and C-terminal capping modules, respectively, from the solvent.
  • the folded ankyrin repeat domain has a right-handed solenoid structure with a large binding surface that is adaptable to specifically bind targets.
  • the ankyrin repeat domain is generally very robust and can sustain a significant number of mutations, including substitutions, additions and deletions, without destroying its overall structure.
  • residues that contribute to the structural integrity of the ankyrin repeat domain, including the interrepeat interactions are referred to as "framework residues", whereas the residues that contribute to target binding, either through direct interaction with the target or by influencing residues that directly interact with the target, e.g., by stabilizing them, are referred to as "target interaction residues".
  • a single amino acid residue can be both - a framework and a target interaction residue - at the same time and framework residues and target interaction residues may be found not only in the internal ankyrin repeats, but also the N-terminal capping module and/or the C-terminal capping module.
  • the internal ankyrin repeats contribute to the structural stability of the ankyrin repeat domain due to their stacking interaction with the neighboring repeats.
  • An internal ankyrin repeat usually consists of 33 amino acid residues.
  • the capping modules have a hydrophobic inside surface that is suitable for interacting with the adjacent internal ankyrin repeat and a hydrophilic outside surface to shield the hydrophobic core from the solvent.
  • the N-terminal capping module and/or the C-terminal capping module are a N-terminal capping repeat and/or C-terminal capping repeat, respectively, which have a similar or the same fold as the adjacent internal ankyrin repeat(s) and/or sequence similarities to said adjacent internal ankyrin repeat(s).
  • binding when used in reference to a target mean a binding interaction that is measurably different from a non-specific interaction, e.g., the interaction with a control molecule that is unrelated to the specific target.
  • Control molecules that are commonly used to measure such non-specific interaction include bovine serum albumin, bovine casein and Escherichia coli maltose binding protein (unless, of course, the respective proteins were the target for the specific binding).
  • binding binding
  • Specific binding can be determined, for instance, by measuring the dissociation constant (Kd) for the target and/or by comparing the binding to the target with the binding to a control molecule.
  • Kd can be measured by various conventional techniques, such as isothermal titration calorimetry, radioligand binding assay, fluorescence energy resonance transfer, and surface plasmon resonance.
  • the binding specificity is generally measured in standardized solutions, such as PBS.
  • the Kd for the target in PBS is at least 10, at least 10 2 , at least 10 3 or at least 10 4 times lower than the corresponding Kd for a control molecule that is unrelated to the specific target.
  • DARPin designed ankyrin repeat protein
  • DARPin refers to a non-natural protein comprising an ankyrin repeat domain.
  • DARPin has a repeat sequence motif that was derived from natural ankyrin repeats, e.g. by consensus design (see, e.g., Forrer et al., 2004 Chem Bio Chem, 5, 2, 183-189 and Binz 2003, loc. cit).
  • fraction of refolded ankyrin repeat domains after thermal denaturation refers to the fraction of ankyrin repeat domains that refold into their native state after thermal denaturation.
  • library refers to a collection of proteins and nucleic acids, respectively.
  • melting temperature refers to the temperature at which 50% of the protein is unfolded in a certain buffer, e.g. PBS.
  • modification refers to one or more modification(s) of said amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of deletions, insertions and/or substitutions.
  • the number of deletions and insertions is limited, for instance, to a combined number of deletions and insertions of not more than three, not more than two or not more than one of the total number of modification(s). Accordingly, if there is a total number of not more than 9 modifications, the number of deletions and insertions of those not more than 9 modifications may be limited to a combined number of insertions and deletions of not more than two.
  • the modification(s) are substitution(s) only.
  • a substitution can be a substitution of an amino acid residue with any of the naturally occurring amino acid residues.
  • the substitution of an amino acid residue is with an amino acid residue selected from the group consisting of A, D, E, F, H, I, K, L, M, N, Q, R, S, V, W and Y.
  • the substitution of an amino acid residue is with an amino acid residue selected from the group consisting of A, D, E, H, I, K, L, Q, R, S, V and Y.
  • the following amino acid residues may, for instance, be particularly suitable for the respective position of the N-terminal capping module: Table 1: Position Amino acid residue 1 A, E, N, Q, G, S, T, K, D, R, H, C 2 E, L, Q, M, K, R, C 3 G, D, S, A, C 4 A, R, T, S, N, Q, K, D, E, H, C 5 A, R, T, S, N, Q, K, D, E, H, C 6 A, L, N, S, D, C 7 L, I, V, A, N, T, S, D, C 8 E, D, Q, A, N, S, T, K, R, H, C 9 A 10 V, S, A, C 11 L, S, Q, K, R, A, H, D, E, C, T, N, F, W, Y 12 K, R, A, T, S, N, Q, D, E, H, C 13 G, C 14 N, S, T
  • amino acid substitution may be a conservative or non-conservative substitution. In some embodiments, substitutions only relate to conservative amino acid substitutions.
  • a conservative amino acid substitution typically involves exchanging an amino acid residue by a different one having similar biophysical properties. For instance, the amino acid residues with a positively charged sidechain K, R and H, the amido acids with negatively charged sidechain E and D, the amino acid residue with a polar side chain T and S, the amino acid residues with an aromatic sidechain F, W or Y or the amino acid residues with a non-polar sidechain A, V, L, I and M may be substituted with one another.
  • PBS refers to phosphate-buffered saline containing 137 mM NaCl, 10 mM phosphate and 2.7 mM KCI and having a pH of 7.4.
  • percent (%) sequence identity with respect to a specific amino acid sequence (e.g. the amino acid sequence of a N-terminal capping module of the invention) is defined as the percentage of amino acid residues in a candidate sequence that is identical with the amino acid residues in the specific amino acid sequence, after aligning the sequences and introducing gaps, if necessary, to achieve the maximum percent sequence identity, and not considering any conservative substitutions as part of the sequence identity. Alignment for purposes of determining percent amino acid sequence identity can be achieved in various ways that are within the skill in the art, for instance, using publicly available computer software such as BLAST, BLAST-2 or ALIGN.
  • pharmaceutically acceptable carrier refers to buffers, carriers, and other excipients suitable for use in contact with tissues of humans and/or animals without excessive toxicity, allergic response, irritation, or other problem or complication, commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio.
  • the carrier(s) should be “acceptable” in the sense of being compatible with the other ingredients of the formulations and not deleterious to the recipient.
  • Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include buffers, solvents, dispersion media, coatings, isotonic and absorption delaying agents, and the like, that are compatible with pharmaceutical administration.
  • composition refers to a composition comprising at least one active agent and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
  • a pharmaceutical composition is generally formulated and administered to exert a pharmaceutically useful effect while minimizing undesirable side effects.
  • position refers to the corresponding amino acid position of SEQ ID NO: 3.
  • corresponding in this context means that the amino acid residue aligns with the indicated position of a specific sequence in a sequence alignment. Alignment for purposes of determining which amino acid residue corresponds to which position of a specific sequence can be achieved in various ways that are within the skill in the art, for instance, using publicly available computer software such as BLAST, BLAST-2 or ALIGN. Those skilled in the art can determine appropriate parameters for measuring alignment, including any algorithms needed to achieve maximal alignment over the full length of the sequences being compared. Further examples of how to align two sequences can be found in WO 2009/058564 A2 , page 94, line 7 to page 96, line 28.
  • recombinant refers to a protein produced from a recombinant nucleic acid.
  • a “recombinant nucleic acid” refers to nucleic acid molecules formed by laboratory methods of genetic recombination or gene synthesis.
  • substantially identical refers to amino acid sequences having (1) at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 100% sequence identity to the specific amino acid sequence or (2) up to 9, up to 8, up to 7, up to 6, up to 5, up to 4, up to 3, up to 2, up to 1 or no modifications, as compared to the specific amino acid sequence.
  • target refers to any substance or structure. It may refer to a single molecule, such as a protein, small-molecule or sugar, as well as complexed molecules, such as interacting proteins or proteins binding to non-proteinaceous compounds. It may also refer to more macromolecular structures, such as cells, tissues, viruses or bacteria.
  • treating or “treatment” of a disease, condition or symptom refers to obtaining therapeutic and/or prophylactic benefit, including alleviating, ablating, ameliorating, or preventing a disease, condition or symptoms, preventing additional symptoms, ameliorating or preventing the underlying metabolic causes of symptoms, inhibiting the disease or condition, e.g., arresting or slowing down the development of the disease or condition, relieving the disease or condition, causing regression of the disease or condition, relieving a condition caused by the disease or condition, or stopping the symptoms of the disease or condition.
  • Naturally occurring ankyrin repeat domains normally have capping modules to shield their hydrophobic cores from the solvent.
  • earlier developed recombinant proteins having ankyrin repeat domains likewise comprised capping modules with such a shielding function at the N- and C-terminal ends of the ankyrin repeat domain (e.g. Binz, 2003, loc. cit. and Binz, 2004, loc. cit.).
  • the capping modules that were first used were derived from the murine GABP ⁇ 1, which is a naturally occurring ankyrin repeat protein (PDB: 1AWC_B). Binz et al. 2003 (loc.
  • WO 2012/069655 relates to further modified N-terminal and C-terminal capping modules of the ankyrin repeat domain.
  • the N-terminal capping modules disclosed in WO 2012/069655 include the two N-terminal capping modules reflected by SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 2 (corresponding to SEQ ID NO: 15 and 14 of WO 2012/069655 , respectively, without the two optionally missing N-terminal amino acid residues).
  • Another exemplary N-terminal capping modules disclosed in the prior art include the one reflected by SEQ ID NO: 4 corresponding to an amino acid sequence comprised in the N-terminal capping module of SEQ ID NO: 56 of WO 2016/156596 A1 .
  • the present inventors determined those amino acid residues that would appear to be most suitable for each position of the N-terminal capping module of the ankyrin repeat domain.
  • the various amino acid residues shown in Table 1 were considered to be particularly suitable based on the in silico analysis.
  • the protein of the invention comprises an ankyrin repeat domain that has an N-terminal capping module with a mutation in position 15.
  • the ankyrin repeat domain of the protein of the invention has improved properties, which may include improved thermostability, improved storage stability, improved thermodynamic stability (defined as the difference in free energy between the folded and unfolded states), improved folding and/or refolding properties (such as a higher fraction of refolded ankyrin repeat domains after thermal denaturation), reduced aggregation propensity and lower in vivo immunogenicity risk.
  • the N-terminal capping module has an amino acid residue at position 15 selected from the group consisting of I, T, A, V, L, M, S, Q and R. In some embodiments, the N-terminal capping module has an amino acid residue at position 15 selected from the group consisting of I, T, A, V, L, M and S. In some embodiments, the N-terminal capping module has an amino acid residue at position 15 selected from the group consisting of I, T, A, V, L and M. In some embodiments, the N-terminal capping module has I at position 15. In some embodiments, the N-terminal capping module has T at position 15. In some embodiments, the N-terminal capping module has A at position 15. In some embodiments, the N-terminal capping module has V at position 15. In some embodiments, the N-terminal capping module has L at position 15. In some embodiments, the N-terminal capping module has M at position 15.
  • the N-terminal capping module further has an amino acid residue at position 3 selected from the group consisting of G, A, D and S. In some embodiments, the N-terminal capping module has an amino acid residue at position 3 selected from A and S. In some embodiments, the N-terminal capping module has A at position 3. In some embodiments, the N-terminal capping module has S at position 3.
  • the N-terminal capping module further has an amino acid residue at position 11 selected from the group consisting of L, S, Q, K, R, A, H, D and E. In some embodiments, the N-terminal capping module has an amino acid residue at position 11 selected from K, E, Q, A and L.
  • the N-terminal capping module further has an amino acid residue at position 17 selected from the group consisting of D, A, N, Q, G, S, T, K, E and R. In some embodiments, the N-terminal capping module has an A at position 17.
  • the N-terminal capping module further has an amino acid residue at position 20 selected from the group consisting of N, K, R, T, S, E, Q, A, D and H. In some embodiments, the N-terminal capping module has a Q at position 20.
  • the N-terminal capping module further has an amino acid residue at position 22 selected from the group consisting of L, V, I and A. In some embodiments, the N-terminal capping module has L at position 22. In some embodiments, the N-terminal capping module has V at position 22. In some embodiments, the N-terminal capping module has I at position 22. In some embodiments, the N-terminal capping module has A at position 22.
  • the ankyrin repeat domain of the protein of the invention has an improved thermostability, such as a higher melting temperature and/or a higher fraction of refolded ankyrin repeat domains after thermal denaturation, as compared to a reference ankyrin repeat domain having the same amino acid sequence except for the mutation in position 15 of the N-terminal capping module.
  • thermostability can be measured by a thermal shift assay, differential scanning calorimetry and circular dichroism (CD).
  • CD circular dichroism
  • Another possible approach is to use differential scanning fluorimetry (e.g. Nielsen et al., 2007, Nat Protoc. 2, 9:2212-21 ).
  • unfolding of the protein is measured with a fluorescent dye that binds to hydrophobic parts of the protein. As the protein unfolds, more hydrophobic parts become exposed causing an increase in fluorescence and vice versa.
  • thermostability the thermostability of a helical protein can be determined by measuring the CD signal of the protein at 222 nm while slowly heating the protein at a concentration of 0.01 mM in PBS pH 7.4 from 20°C to 95°C using a temperature ramp of 1°C per min.
  • the increase in melting temperature of the ankyrin repeat domain of the invention is at least 1°C, at least 2°C, at least 3°C, at least 4°C or at least 5°C, as compared to the reference ankyrin repeat domain.
  • the fraction of the refolded ankyrin repeat domains after thermal denaturation is at least 1%, at least 5%, at least 10% or at least 20% higher, as compared to the reference ankyrin repeat domain.
  • the ankyrin repeat domain has a higher melting temperature and/or higher fraction of refolded ankyrin repeat domains after thermal denaturation. In some embodiments, the ankyrin repeat domain has a higher melting temperature and/or higher fraction of refolded ankyrin repeat domains after thermal denaturation than a reference ankyrin repeat domain with the same amino acid sequence except for position 15 of the N-terminal capping module that is a different amino acid residue in the reference ankyrin repeat domain compared to the ankyrin repeat domain of the protein of the invention.
  • the amino acid residue in position 15 of the reference ankyrin repeat domain is selected from the group consisting of E, D, G, H, K and N. In some embodiments, the amino acid residue in position 15 of the reference ankyrin repeat domain is E. In some embodiments, the amino acid residue in position 15 of the reference ankyrin repeat domain is D.
  • sequence of the ankyrin repeat domain is not particularly limited.
  • the ankyrin repeat domain allows for a large sequence variation while preserving the overall structure and function of the domain.
  • the N-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence that is substantially identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 76. In some embodiments, the N-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence that is substantially identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 7 to 16. In some embodiments, the N-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence that is substantially identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 17 to 26. In some embodiments, the N-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence that is substantially identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 27 to 36.
  • the N-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence that is substantially identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 37 to 46. In some embodiments, the N-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence that is substantially identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 47 to 56. In some embodiments, the N-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence that is substantially identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 57 to 66. In some embodiments, the N-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence that is substantially identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 67 to 76.
  • the N-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence that has at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 100% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 76. In some embodiments, the N-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence that has at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 100% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 7 to 16.
  • the N-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence that has at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 100% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 17 to 26. In some embodiments, the N-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence that has at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 100% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 27 to 36.
  • the N-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence that has at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 100% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 37 to 46. In some embodiments, the N-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence that has at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 100% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 47 to 56.
  • the N-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence that has at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 100% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 57 to 66. In some embodiments, the N-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence that has at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 100% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 67 to 76.
  • the N-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence that is identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 7 to 76. In some embodiments, the N-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence that is identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 7 to 16. In some embodiments, the N-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence that is identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 17 to 26. In some embodiments, the N-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence that is identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 27 to 36.
  • the N-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence that is identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 37 to 46. In some embodiments, the N-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence that is identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 47 to 56. In some embodiments, the N-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence that is identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 57 to 66. In some embodiments, the N-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence that is identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 67 to 76.
  • the N-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 7 to 16 or from a variant of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 7 to 16 with up to 9, up to 8, up to 7, up to 6, up to 5, up to 4, up to 3, up to 2 or up to 1 modifications outside position 15, and wherein X at position 15 of SEQ ID NOs: 7 to 16 or said variants thereof is an amino acid residue as defined above for position 15.
  • the variants of SEQ ID NOs: 7 to 16 have up to 9 modifications.
  • the variants of SEQ ID NOs: 7 to 16 have up to 8 modifications.
  • the variants of SEQ ID NOs: 7 to 16 have up to 7 modifications.
  • the variants of SEQ ID NOs: 7 to 16 have up to 6 modifications. In some embodiments, the variants of SEQ ID NOs: 7 to 16 have up to 5 modifications. In some embodiments, the variants of SEQ ID NOs: 7 to 16 have up to 4 modifications. In some embodiments, the variants of SEQ ID NOs: 7 to 16 have up to 3 modifications. In some embodiments, the variants of SEQ ID NOs: 7 to 16 have up to 2 modifications. In some embodiments, the variants of SEQ ID NOs: 7 to 16 have up to 1 modification. In some embodiments, there are no variants of SEQ ID NOs: 7 to 16.
  • the modifications of SEQ ID NOs: 7 to 16 do not include more than a combined number of deletions and insertions of 3. In some embodiments, the modifications of SEQ ID NOs: 7 to 16 do not include more than a combined number of deletions and insertions of 2. In some embodiments, the modifications of SEQ ID NOs: 7 to 16 do not include more than a combined number of deletions and insertions of 1. In some embodiments, the modifications of SEQ ID NOs: 7 to 16 are only substitutions.
  • the N-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence with amino acid residues as indicated for the positions 1 to 30 in Table 1.
  • the amino acid residue at position 1 is selected from the group consisting of A, E, N, Q, G, S, T, K, D, R and H, and so on.
  • the N-terminal capping module may further comprise a sequence N-terminal to the amino acid sequences defined in SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 76 (or the sequence variants thereof defined herein).
  • sequence could be a dipeptide comprising amino acid residues selected from the group consisting of D, A, E, N, Q, S, T, K, R and H, such as the dipeptide GS, DA, EA, AA, AD, AE, NA, AN, PT, TP, AT or TA.
  • dipeptide sequence primarily serves as a linker to connect the ankyrin repeat domain to the further peptide sequence of the protein or as an extended alpha-helix of the N-terminal capping module.
  • N-terminal capping module which are defined by a certain amino acid residue(s) in position 15, as well as a minimal sequence identity to an amino acid sequence or a defined number of modifications compared to an amino acid sequence, both conditions need to be fulfilled.
  • an N-terminal capping module having I in position 15 and at least 70% sequence identity to SEQ ID NOs: 7 to 16 only relates to such embodiments wherein the N-terminal capping module has I in position 15 and, at the same time, at least 70% sequence identity to one or more of SEQ ID NOs: 7 to 16.
  • the internal ankyrin repeats of the ankyrin repeat domain consist of 33 amino acid residues.
  • the internal ankyrin repeat(s) of the ankyrin domain of the invention comprise an amino acid sequence that is substantially identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 77 to 82 or from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 78 to 82.
  • the internal ankyrin repeat(s) comprise an amino acid sequence that has at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 100% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 77 to 82 or from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 78 to 82.
  • the internal ankyrin repeat(s) comprise an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 77 to 82 or from a variant of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 77 to 82 with up to 9, up to 8, up to 7, up to 6, up to 5, up to 4, up to 3, up to 2 or up to 1 modifications.
  • the internal ankyrin repeat(s) comprise an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 78 to 82 or from a variant of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 78 to 82 with up to 9, up to 8, up to 7, up to 6, up to 5, up to 4, up to 3, up to 2 or up to 1 modifications.
  • the internal ankyrin repeats of an ankyrin repeat domain of the invention share a high degree of sequence identity or sequence similarity. In some embodiments, the internal ankyrin repeat(s) share at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90% or at least 95% sequence identity.
  • the C-terminal capping module of the ankyrin repeat domain of the invention comprises an amino acid sequence that is substantially identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 83 to 92. In some embodiments, the C-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence that has at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 100% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 83 to 92.
  • the C-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 83 to 92 or from a variant of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 83 to 92 with up to 9, up to 8, up to 7, up to 6, up to 5, up to 4, up to 3, up to 2 or up to 1 modifications.
  • the N-terminal capping module of the ankyrin repeat domain of the invention comprises an amino acid sequence that is substantially identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 7 to 16 and the internal ankyrin repeat(s) comprise an amino acid sequence that is substantially identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 77 to 82.
  • the N-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence that has at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 100% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 7 to 16 and the internal ankyrin repeat(s) comprise an amino acid sequence that has at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 100% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 77 to 82.
  • the N-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence that has at least 70% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 7 to 16 and the internal ankyrin repeat(s) comprise an amino acid sequence that has at least 70% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 77 to 82.
  • the N-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence that has at least 75% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 7 to 16 and the internal ankyrin repeat(s) comprise an amino acid sequence that has at least 75% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 77 to 82.
  • the N-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence that has at least 80% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 7 to 16 and the internal ankyrin repeat(s) comprise an amino acid sequence that has at least 80% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 77 to 82. In some embodiments, the N-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence that has at least 85% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 7 to 16 and the internal ankyrin repeat(s) comprise an amino acid sequence that has at least 85% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 77 to 82.
  • the N-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence that has at least 90% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 7 to 16 and the internal ankyrin repeat(s) comprise an amino acid sequence that has at least 90% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 77 to 82.
  • the N-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence that has at least 95% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 7 to 16 and the internal ankyrin repeat(s) comprise an amino acid sequence that has at least 95% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 77 to 82.
  • the N-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence that is identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 7 to 16 and the internal ankyrin repeat(s) comprise an amino acid sequence that is identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 77 to 82.
  • the N-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence that is substantially identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 7 to 16
  • the internal ankyrin repeat(s) comprise an amino acid sequence that is substantially identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 77 to 82
  • the C-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence that is substantially identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 83 to 92.
  • the N-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence that has at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 100% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 7 to 16
  • the internal ankyrin repeat(s) comprise an amino acid sequence that has at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 100% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 77 to 82
  • the C-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence that has at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 100% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 83 to 92.
  • the N-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence that has at least 70% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 7 to 16
  • the internal ankyrin repeat(s) comprise an amino acid sequence that has at least 70% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 77 to 82
  • the C-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence that has at least 70% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 83 to 92.
  • the N-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence that has at least 75% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 7 to 16
  • the internal ankyrin repeat(s) comprise an amino acid sequence that has at least 75% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 77 to 82
  • the C-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence that has at least 75% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 83 to 92.
  • the N-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence that has at least 80% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 7 to 16
  • the internal ankyrin repeat(s) comprise an amino acid sequence that has at least 80% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 77 to 82
  • the C-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence that has at least 80% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 83 to 92.
  • the N-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence that has at least 85% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 7 to 16
  • the internal ankyrin repeat(s) comprise an amino acid sequence that has at least 85% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 77 to 82
  • the C-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence that has at least 85% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 83 to 92.
  • the N-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence that has at least 90% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 7 to 16
  • the internal ankyrin repeat(s) comprise an amino acid sequence that has at least 90% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 77 to 82
  • the C-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence that has at least 90% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 83 to 92.
  • the N-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence that has at least 95% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 7 to 16
  • the internal ankyrin repeat(s) comprise an amino acid sequence that has at least 95% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 77 to 82
  • the C-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence that has at least 95% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 83 to 92.
  • the N-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence that is identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 7 to 16
  • the internal ankyrin repeat(s) comprise an amino acid sequence that is identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 77 to 82
  • the C-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence that is identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 83 to 92.
  • the N-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 7 to 16 or from a variant of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 7 to 16 with up to 9, up to 8, up to 7, up to 6, up to 5, up to 4, up to 3, up to 2 or up to 1 modifications outside position 15, and wherein X at position 15 of SEQ ID NOs: 7 to 16 or said variants thereof is an amino acid residue as defined above for position 15 and the internal ankyrin repeat(s) comprise an amino acid sequence that has at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 100% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 77 to 82 or SEQ ID NOs: 78 to 82.
  • the N-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 7 to 16 or from a variant of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 7 to 16 with up to 9, up to 8, up to 7, up to 6, up to 5, up to 4, up to 3, up to 2 or up to 1 modifications outside position 15, and wherein X at position 15 of SEQ ID NOs: 7 to 16 or said variants thereof is an amino acid residue as defined above for position 15, the internal ankyrin repeat(s) comprise an amino acid sequence that has at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 100% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 77 to 82 or SEQ ID NOs: 78 to 82, and the C-terminal capping module comprises an amino acid sequence that has at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 100% sequence
  • the ankyrin repeat domain comprises the N-terminal capping module, one internal ankyrin repeat and a C-terminal capping module (N1C). Such ankyrin repeat domains are shown in Example 1.
  • the ankyrin repeat domain comprises the N-terminal capping module, multiple internal ankyrin repeats and a C-terminal capping module.
  • the ankyrin repeat domain comprises the N-terminal capping module, 2 or 3 internal ankyrin repeats and a C-terminal capping module (N2C or N3C, respectively).
  • the ankyrin repeat domain is N2C.
  • the ankyrin repeat domain is N3C.
  • the protein of the invention is a recombinant protein or DARPin.
  • the ankyrin repeat domain of the protein of the invention specifically binds to a target.
  • the ankyrin repeat domain may specifically bind to a mammalian serum albumin, such as human serum albumin.
  • the protein of the invention may comprise one or more further moieties in addition to the ankyrin repeat domain comprising the N-terminal capping module, such as a moiety binding to a target, a labeling moiety, a toxic moiety, a moiety improving the pharmacokinetics, a moiety providing effector functions, a moiety allowing for the purification of the protein or a moiety providing enzymatic activity.
  • the further moiety binding to a target is another ankyrin repeat domain, an antibody or fragment thereof or a receptor protein.
  • the further moiety binding to a target is another ankyrin repeat domain.
  • the labeling moiety is a stable isotope, a mass tag or a fluorescent label.
  • the toxic moiety is a chemotherapeutic agent, such as an alkylating agent, an antimetabolite, a taxane, or an anthracycline.
  • the moiety improving pharmacokinetics is a pegylation, a mammalian serum albumin, an immunoglobulin, a Fc domain of an immunoglobulin or a moiety binding to mammalian serum albumin or to an immunoglobulin.
  • the protein further contains an ankyrin repeat domain binding to a mammalian serum albumin.
  • the further moiety providing effector functions is a Fc domain of an immunoglobulin.
  • the moiety allowing for the purification of the protein is a FLAG-tag, a GST-tag, an HA-tag, a Myc-tag, a His-tag or a Strep-tag.
  • the further moiety providing enzymatic or fluorescence activity is, e.g., beta-lactamase or green fluorescence protein, respectively.
  • the further moiety may be proteinaceous or non-proteinaceous.
  • the further moiety in addition to the ankyrin repeat domain comprising the N-terminal capping module is one or more additional ankyrin repeat domains.
  • the protein of the invention comprises more than one, e.g., at least two, at least three, at least four or at least five, ankyrin repeat domains.
  • the protein of the invention comprises more than one, e.g., at least two, at least three, at least four or at least five, ankyrin repeat domains each comprising the N-terminal capping module of the invention.
  • the protein of the invention comprises multiple ankyrin repeat domains which specifically bind to multiple targets.
  • the protein of the invention comprises a single ankyrin repeat domain.
  • the further moiety may connect covalently to the protein, for instance, via a peptide linker or via a maleimide-containing crosslinker.
  • Suitable peptide linkers include glycine-serine linkers and proline-threonine linkers.
  • the peptide linkers have a length of 2 to 24 amino acid residues or 2 to 16 amino acid residues.
  • the further moiety may connect non-covalently to the protein, for instance, via a multimerization moiety.
  • a multimerization moiety is an immunoglobulin heavy chain constant region, a leucine zipper or a free thiol which can form a disulfide bond with another free thiol.
  • the present disclosure relates to a protein library of the proteins of the invention. At least two of these proteins of the protein library differ in the amino acid sequence of their ankyrin repeat domains. In some embodiments, the protein library has at least 10 3 , at least 10 5 , at least 10 7 , least 10 9 , least 10 11 or at least 10 13 proteins that differ in the amino acid sequence of the ankyrin repeat domain.
  • the protein library comprises proteins of the invention having different ankyrin repeat domain structures.
  • the protein library may contain a mixture of proteins with proteins having the N-terminal capping module, 2 internal ankyrin repeats and a C-terminal capping module and proteins having the N-terminal capping module, 3 internal ankyrin repeats and a C-terminal capping module.
  • the proteins of the protein library all share the same ankyrin repeat domain structure.
  • the ankyrin repeat domain of all proteins of the library comprises the N-terminal capping module, 2 internal ankyrin repeats and a C-terminal capping module.
  • the ankyrin repeat domain of all proteins of the library comprises the N-terminal capping module, 3 internal ankyrin repeats and a C-terminal capping module.
  • the proteins of the library each comprise a single ankyrin repeat domain only.
  • the sequence variability in the ankyrin repeat domains of the protein library may be brought about randomly, e.g., by error-prone PCR of the nucleic acid molecules encoding the proteins, or it may be obtained by rational design followed by, e.g., direct synthesis of the nucleic acid molecules encoding the proteins ("design approach").
  • the variability is introduced by the design approach.
  • variability of the amino acid sequence is introduced in one or more than one position of the ankyrin repeat domains, which variable positions are also referred to as "randomized positions", i.e. those positions that can potentially be occupied by more than one amino acid residue, whereas the remaining positions remain unchanged and are also referred to as "fixed positions", i.e.
  • the randomized positions are those positions occupied by potential target interaction residues and/or the fixed positions are those positions occupied by framework residues. In some embodiments, a subset of the positions occupied by potential target interaction residues are randomized positions. In some embodiments, all positions occupied by potential target interaction residues are randomized positions.
  • the fixed positions and the randomized positions are the same for the ankyrin repeat domains of each protein of the protein library.
  • the ankyrin repeat domains have multiple internal ankyrin repeats
  • the internal ankyrin repeats of each ankyrin repeat domain have different randomized and fixed positions.
  • the internal ankyrin repeats of each ankyrin repeat domain have the same randomized and fixed positions.
  • the randomized positions may show different degrees of variability, i.e. they may potentially be occupied by a different set of amino acid residues.
  • the degree of variability differs between randomized positions.
  • the amino acid residue in a randomized position is any of the twenty natural amino acid residues.
  • a randomized position may only be occupied by a subset of the twenty natural amino acid residues.
  • Such subsets can be those having common physicochemical properties, such as sets of hydrophobic, hydrophilic, acidic, basic, aromatic, or aliphatic amino acid residues.
  • Other subsets are those comprising all twenty natural amino acid residues except for certain non-desired amino acid residues, such as sets not comprising cysteines or prolines.
  • the subsets comprise those amino acid residues that are found in the corresponding positions of naturally occurring ankyrin repeats.
  • the proteins of the protein library share at least 70% sequence identity, at least 80% sequence identity, or at least 90% sequence identity in the amino acid sequence of their ankyrin repeat domains.
  • the above protein library can serve to select those proteins of the library that have a predetermined property, i.e. a certain property of interest that may be found in one of the proteins of the protein library and that can be screened for.
  • a predetermined property may include the specific binding to a target, the activation or inhibition of a target, such as an enzyme, and the blocking of an interaction between two targets.
  • the predetermined property is the specific binding to a target.
  • the present disclosure provides a method for selecting a protein having a predetermined property, comprising the following steps:
  • the proteins can be selected using screening methods commonly known to the person skilled in the art, such as yeast display, protein fragment complementation assay, phage display or ribosome display. In some embodiments, the proteins are selected in step b) using phage display or ribosome display.
  • the protein can be further modified, mutated and/or optimized by methods commonly known in the art.
  • amino acid sequence variants of the protein can be generated, e.g., by subjecting the nucleic acid encoding the selected protein to physical or chemical mutagens, copying said nucleic acid by error-prone PCR, using said nucleic acid for DNA shuffling or random chimeragenesis ( Neylon C., Nucleic Acids Res., 32(4), 1448-1459, 2004 ).
  • the protein library of such amino acid sequence variants may then again be subjected to the above selection step b) in order to select the variant(s) having the predetermined property.
  • the protein selected in step b) above may also be selectively mutated.
  • one or more cysteine residues may be introduced, the thiol group(s) of which can then react with maleimide cross-linkers.
  • certain non-desirable amino acid residues may be removed, for instance, cysteines, which are prone to oxidations.
  • amino acid residues may be selectively mutated after analysis of the crystal structure so that the protein structure better fits to the target.
  • the protein selected in step b) may also become modified with the one or more further moieties in addition to the ankyrin repeat domain outlined above for the protein of the invention.
  • the present disclosure provides a nucleic acid encoding the protein of the invention, a vector comprising such nucleic acid and a cell or in vitro expression system comprising such nucleic acid or such vector.
  • the nucleic acid can be DNA or RNA, single stranded or double-stranded, in isolated form or part of a larger nucleic acid, e.g., of a vector or a chromosome.
  • the nucleic acid may comprise elements that enable delivery of the nucleic acid to a cell and/or expression of the nucleic acid in a cell.
  • the nucleic acid encoding the protein of the invention can be operatively linked to expression control sequences, which have an impact on the transcription and/or translation of the protein, such as promoters, enhancers, transcription terminators, start codons and stop codons.
  • the expression control sequences may be selected from any eukaryotic or prokaryotic organism.
  • Suitable promoters may be constitutive or inducible promoters. Examples include the CMV-, lacZ-, T7-, T5-, RSV-, SV40-, AOX1-, and GAPDH-promoter. Suitable enhancers include the CMV-enhancer, insulin-responsive elements, and an SV40-enhancer. Transcription terminators include the SV40-, lacZ-, and tk-polyadenylation signal.
  • the present disclosure also provides a library with nucleic acid molecules encoding the protein of the invention. At least two of the nucleic acid molecules of the nucleic acid library differ in the nucleic acid sequence of their ankyrin repeat domains. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid library has at least 10 3 , at least 10 5 , at least 10 7 , or at least 10 9 nucleic acid molecules that differ in the nucleic acid sequence coding for the ankyrin repeat domain.
  • the cell comprising the nucleic acid or vector encoding the protein of the invention can be a prokaryotic or a eukaryotic cell.
  • the cell is a bacterial, yeast or mammalian cell.
  • the cell is derived from E. coli, P. pastoris, S. cerevisiae, human, hamster or mouse.
  • the cell is selected from CHO, HEK293, BHK, NS0, Sp2/0, HT-1080, PER.C6, CAP and HuH-7 cells.
  • the in vitro expression system comprising the nucleic acid or vector encoding the protein of the invention is based on a cell-free extract from E. coli, yeast, rabbit, wheat germ, insect or human.
  • the present disclosure provides a method of preparing a protein comprising the following steps:
  • the present disclosure provides a method of modifying an existing ankyrin repeat domain by replacing the N-terminal capping module of the existing ankyrin repeat domain by an N-terminal capping module disclosed herein.
  • the favorable properties related to the N-terminal capping module disclosed herein may be transferred to the existing ankyrin repeat domain.
  • the present disclosure provides a method of preparing a protein comprising an ankyrin repeat domain with an improved thermostability, such as a higher melting temperature and/or higher fraction of refolded ankyrin repeat domains after thermal denaturation, comprising the following steps:
  • amino acid residue corresponding to position 15 of SEQ ID NO: 3 may be substituted by an amino acid residue selected from the group consisting of I, T, A, V, L and M.
  • the present disclosure provides a method of preparing a protein comprising an ankyrin repeat domain with an improved thermostability, such as a higher melting temperature and/or higher fraction of refolded ankyrin repeat domains after thermal denaturation, comprising the following steps:
  • the present disclosure provides a method of preparing a protein comprising the following steps:
  • the present disclosure also provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising the protein of the invention.
  • the pharmaceutical composition comprises the protein of the invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
  • the present disclosure provides the use of the proteins of the invention in a method of treatment.
  • each ankyrin repeat domain was chemically synthesized and cloned into pQlq ( Simon M. et al., Bioconjug Chem., 23(2), 279-86, 2012 ) expression vectors by standard techniques.
  • the ankyrin repeat domains were expressed in E . coli BL21 or XL1-Blue cells and purified using their His-tag using standard protocols known to the person skilled in the art. Briefly, 25 ml of stationary overnight cultures (LB, 1% glucose, 100 mg/l of ampicillin; 37°C) were used to inoculate 1 I cultures (same medium). At an absorbance of about 1 at 600 nm, the cultures were induced with 0.5 mM IPTG and incubated at 37°C for 4 h. The cultures were centrifuged and the resulting pellets were resuspended in 40 ml of TBS500 (50 mM Tris-HCI, 500 mM NaCl, pH 8) and sonicated.
  • TBS500 50 mM Tris-HCI, 500 mM NaCl, pH 8
  • the lysate was recentrifuged, and glycerol (10% (v/v) final concentration) and imidazole (20 mM final concentration) were added to the resulting supernatant.
  • the ankyrin repeat domains were purified over a Ni-nitrilotriacetic acid column (2.5 ml column volume) according to the manufacturer's instructions (QIAgen, Germany). Up to 200 mg of highly soluble ankyrin repeat domains were purified from one liter of E. coli culture with a purity > 95% as estimated from SDS-15% PAGE. Such purified ankyrin repeat domains were used for further characterizations.
  • the CD signal of the ankyrin repeat domains was recorded at 222 nm in a Jasco J-810 instrument (Jasco, Japan) while slowly heating the ankyrin repeat domains at a concentration of 0.01 mM in PBS pH 7.4 from 20°C to 95°C using a temperature ramp of 1°C per min.
  • This is an effective means to follow the denaturation of ankyrin repeat domains as they mainly consist of alpha helices that show a strong change in their CD signal at 222 nm upon unfolding.
  • the midpoint of the observed transition of such a measured CD signal trace for an ankyrin repeat domain corresponds to its Tm value. Tm values were derived as described in V. Consalvi et al. (Protein Eng Des Sel. 13, 501-507, 2000 ).
  • the melting curves for the above-mentioned ankyrin repeat domains were determined. Based on the measured melting curves, the Tm values of the various constructs were determined as described above.
  • the ankyrin repeat domain P#95 corresponding to SEQ ID NO: 95 was used as a first exemplary reference ankyrin repeat domain.
  • P#95 comprises a D at position 27 (which corresponds to position 15 of its N-terminal capping module).
  • Figure 1 shows, as an example, the melting curves of P#95 and P#101.
  • Tm values for P#95 and P#101 were estimated to be 74.5°C and 85.1°C, respectively.
  • Table 2 shows the Tm values and the corresponding amino acids at position 15 of the respective N-terminal capping modules of P#95 to P#107.
  • a further reference ankyrin repeat domain (P#93) that was tested corresponds to SEQ ID NO: 93.
  • P#93 comprises a D at position 27 (which corresponds to position 15 of its N-terminal capping module).
  • the ankyrin repeat domain P#94 corresponding to SEQ ID NO: 94 is identical to P#93, with the exception that it contains the amino acid L at this position 15.
  • Figure 2 shows the melting curves of P#93 and P#94.
  • P#108 Yet another reference ankyrin repeat domain (P#108) that was tested corresponds to SEQ ID NO: 108.
  • P#108 comprises a D at position 27 (which corresponds to position 15 of its N-terminal capping module).
  • the ankyrin repeat domain P#109 corresponding to SEQ ID NO: 109 is identical to P#108, with the exception that it contains the amino acid L at this position 15.
  • Figure 3 shows the melting curves of P#108 and P#109.

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EP20191632.7A 2020-08-18 2020-08-18 Verbesserte n-terminale kappungsmodule von ankyrinwiederholungsdomänen Withdrawn EP3957649A1 (de)

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EP20191632.7A EP3957649A1 (de) 2020-08-18 2020-08-18 Verbesserte n-terminale kappungsmodule von ankyrinwiederholungsdomänen
US17/232,470 US11242369B1 (en) 2020-08-18 2021-04-16 N-terminal capping modules of ankyrin repeat domains
PCT/EP2021/072819 WO2022038128A1 (en) 2020-08-18 2021-08-17 N-terminal capping modules of ankyrin repeat domains
EP21765861.6A EP4192851A1 (de) 2020-08-18 2021-08-17 N-terminale kappungsmodule von ankyrinwiederholungsdomänen
EP21199643.4A EP4074727A1 (de) 2020-08-18 2021-09-28 N-terminale kappungsmodule von ankyrinwiederholungsdomänen
US17/851,959 US11981710B2 (en) 2020-08-18 2022-06-28 N-terminal capping modules of ankyrin repeat domains

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US11981710B2 (en) * 2020-08-18 2024-05-14 Athebio Ag N-terminal capping modules of ankyrin repeat domains
WO2023021050A1 (en) 2021-08-17 2023-02-23 Athebio Ag Variants of ankyrin repeat domains
WO2023194628A2 (en) 2022-08-16 2023-10-12 Athebio Ag Variants of ankyrin repeat domains
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CA2421447C (en) 2000-09-08 2012-05-08 Universitat Zurich Collections of repeat proteins comprising repeat modules
EP2612868B1 (de) 2007-11-01 2018-08-15 Astellas Pharma Inc. Immunsuppressive Polypeptide und Nucleinsäuren
JP6173216B2 (ja) 2010-11-26 2017-08-02 モレキュラー・パートナーズ・アーゲーＭｏｌｅｃｕｌａｒ Ｐａｒｔｎｅｒｓ Ａｇ 設計アンキリンリピートタンパク質のための改善されたキャッピングモジュール
JP6486908B2 (ja) 2013-05-31 2019-03-20 モレキュラー パートナーズ アクチェンゲゼルシャフト 肝細胞増殖因子に結合する設計アンキリン反復タンパク質
US20170226158A1 (en) 2014-08-11 2017-08-10 Medimmune Limited Intracellular antigen binding
SG11201707606RA (en) 2015-04-02 2017-10-30 Molecular Partners Ag Designed ankyrin repeat domains with binding specificity for serum albumin
WO2020190852A2 (en) 2019-03-17 2020-09-24 Jorge Fallas Topological control of receptor signaling using synthetic homo- and hetero-dimeric cytokine mimetics
JP2022535564A (ja) * 2019-06-04 2022-08-09 モレキュラー パートナーズ アクチェンゲゼルシャフト 多選択性タンパク質
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EP4073093A2 (de) 2019-12-11 2022-10-19 Molecular Partners AG Rekombinante peptid-mhc-komplex bindende proteine und deren erzeugung und verwendung
JP2023525518A (ja) * 2020-05-06 2023-06-16 モレキュラー パートナーズ アクチェンゲゼルシャフト 新規アンキリンリピート結合タンパク質とその用途
KR20230022176A (ko) 2020-05-14 2023-02-14 몰리큘라 파트너스 아게 다중특이적 단백질
EP4149960A1 (de) 2020-05-14 2023-03-22 Molecular Partners AG Rekombinante cd40-bindende proteine und deren verwendung

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